How to be giving, without exhausting yourself

They’re committing to more, even when they’re collapsing in a heap from exhaustion most nights.

They’re pushing beyond the warning signs, ignoring the wisdom offered by their bodies, and soldiering on even when nagging illness prevails.

They’re doing anything to avoid disappointing anyone and they snack on overwhelm, scarcity and worry.

They fear if they stop, say no, or take a break they’ll miss an opportunity, or even worse their children will.

I recognise them because I’ve been them.

None of us want to fall ill, fall down, rant, rave and cry in the car park, so why don’t we stop?

Why are we trying to do too much, all at once?

Maybe it’s because we’re told we can have it all and do it all, and when we can’t we should try even harder. We should get better at time management, be more organised and find ways to fit more in. And so we look for the next hack, the next multi-tasking juggling act that’ll help us get it all done.

Maybe it’s because we’re comparing our behind the scenes crazy to the highlight reel on social media, and all this does is leave us feeling ‘less than’. And so we do more in the hope of catching up to this made up fantasy.

Maybe it’s because we’re born to nurture. We want to nourish our young, support the providers and yet we’ve been told to keep our career options twirling. So we dash from one to the other trying to keep all balls in the air.

Take action to rest and restore.

Get an early night, take a hot shower, write all your worries down, hug your love, watch a comedy, curl up with the cat, walk the dog, jump on the trampoline.

Say no to that nagging request and yes to the yoga class. Smother your body in essential oils, ring your bestie, have a cuppa, ignore the washing, write an article, swing in a hammock, watch the sunset, walk on the beach.

Or simply stop and sit.

Sit in silence, breathe deeply and celebrating the 5 precious minutes you’ve just given to yourself.

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Meet Karen

Karen Main is a Life Leadership Coach for people who are ready to make a change in their lives.
Through her coaching, workshops and speaking gigs she’s here to help you design a life you love — while making it all feel like a celebration.
And when she’s not working, you can find her indulging in a long walk with the dog, laughing with her kids or at her favourite yoga class